Freddie Blay issues ultimatum to Ablakwa, Johnnie Hughes to retract state-capture allegations

Former National Chairman of the NPP and current GNPC Board Chair, Freddie Blay has issued a one-week ultimatum to the MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, journalist Johnnie Hughes, and the management of TV3 to retract allegations accusing his family of illegal acquisition of property at the Labadi Beach Front.

This comes following allegations made by Ablakwa suggesting that a state capture was underway, involving top NPP officials.

He implicated Blay and his sons for allegedly taking over the beachfront traditionally owned by the Labadi Beach Hotel.

Blay, however, refutes these claims, stating that his children legally acquired parts of the beachfront from the La Council and that the area in question is not under the Labadi Beach Hotel's management.

In a conversation with the media on June 15, Freddie Blay clarified that his sons had attempted to collaborate with the hotel's management, but the talks fell off due to financial disagreements.

He asserted that his family's business dealings are legitimate and criticizes the accusations as damaging propaganda.

"If the hotel considers that somebody has taken its lands, the courts are there; they should go to court. I have seen correspondence that tried to negotiate for them to work together, but it never worked - so nobody has taken anybody's land. Definitely not my children; they are not involved in any state capture.

"The impression that's being made by Okudzeto Ablakwa and unfortunately by some pressmen like Johnnie Hughes and TV3, making it seem to Ghanaians that doing legitimate business without stepping on anybody's shoes is an illegality, is unfortunate," he said.

Freddie Blay also warned that if no apology is forthcoming, he will pursue legal action, emphasizing that the land operated by his sons is not part of the Labadi Beach Hotel and denouncing the portrayal of his family as engaging in illegal activities.

"I feel very defamed; where my sons are operating is not part of the Labadi Beach Hotel. It is their property, and it's unfortunate that Ablakwa and Johnnie are making it look like I have stolen the lands, making people call me a thief.

"I give Okudzeto Ablakwa and the TV3 management, including Johnnie Hughes, one week to render an apology to me and my family, or I go to court," he said.

ID/SARA